How far is Eau Claire, WI from Madison, WI?
The driving distance from Eau Claire, WI to Madison, WI is about 178 miles (286.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 26m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 159.1 miles (256 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 52m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 03h 26m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Village in Juneau County, Wisconsin
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Eau Claire and Madison.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Eau Claire and Madison.
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1
Start on East Grand Avenue
11 m · 5 sec · East Grand Avenue
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2
Turn right onto South Farwell Street
2973 ft · 1 min · South Farwell Street
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3
Turn left onto Washington Street
721 ft · 14 sec · Washington Street
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4
Continue on Harding Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · Harding Avenue
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5
Continue on Brackett Avenue
1818 ft · 38 sec · Brackett Avenue
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6
Turn slight right
157 m · 19 sec
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7
Turn straight onto Hastings Way
1.5 km · 2 min · Hastings Way
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8
Take the ramp straight toward South Hastings Way
2.3 mi · 3 min · South Hastings Way
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9
Turn straight onto US 53 South: Brackett
1257 ft · 21 sec
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10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 4 toward the route
115 m · 6 sec
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11
Exit the roundabout
135 m · 9 sec
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12
Take the ramp right
2643 ft · 1 min
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13
Merge slight left
162.4 mi · 2 hr 54 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US-51: Madison, De Forest
1781 ft · 44 sec
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15
Keep slight right to continue on US-51 SOUTH
770 ft · 19 sec
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16
Turn straight onto US Highway 51
1222 ft · 23 sec · US Highway 51
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17
Turn right onto County Highway CV
2.5 mi · 5 min · County Highway CV
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18
Continue on Packers Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · Packers Avenue
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19
Turn straight onto State Highway 113
824 ft · 20 sec · State Highway 113
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20
Continue on Packers Avenue
1.4 mi · 3 min · Packers Avenue
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21
Continue on Pennsylvania Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · Pennsylvania Avenue
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22
Continue on East Johnson Street
2345 ft · 1 min · East Johnson Street
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23
Continue on East Gorham Street
1.7 mi · 5 min · East Gorham Street
-
24
Continue on University Avenue
1949 ft · 1 min · University Avenue
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · University Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Eau Claire and Madison.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 53 South
Merge slight left
162 mi · 02h 54m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Eau Claire and Partly Sunny near Madison.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Eau Claire to Madison?
The road trip is about 178 miles (286.4 km) and usually takes 03h 26m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Camp Douglas is a useful midpoint, sitting about 88.9 miles from Eau Claire and 89 miles from Madison.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 159.1 miles (256 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.9 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:08 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.68 one way or $47.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Eau Claire and Partly Sunny near Madison.
Stop Ideas Near Camp Douglas
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Camp Douglas.
Tomah
Wisconsin Dells
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Westfield, WI
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Eau Claire and Madison. Straight-line distance: 159.08 mi (256.02 km).
#1 Eau Claire
The most populous city in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin.
| Population | 67,065 |
| Coordinates | 44.8113500, -91.4984900 |
| Altitude | 240 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Madison
City in and county seat of Dane County, Wisconsin, United States, and the capital city of Wisconsin
| Population | 6,667 |
| Coordinates | 43.0730500, -89.4012300 |
| Altitude | 267 |
| Country | United States |
End: Madison (-89.40123, 43.07305)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 286 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.68 | $47.36 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.71 | $53.42 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.23 | $58.45 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.31 | $66.62 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Wisconsin · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.